Former Liverpool player John Barnes
Former Liverpool player John Barnes has made his Premier League title race predictions for the 2026/27 season(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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A Liverpool title charge in Andoni Iraola's first season won't be happening, according to Reds icon John Barnes. The new Premier League campaign kicks off with champions Arsenal hosting newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday, August 21.
Liverpool's season-opener sees them take on Newcastle United on August 23, in what will mark the Spaniard's first competitive game in charge of the club. Iraola's appointment as Arne Slot's replacement will see the Reds return to a high-pressing, aggressive style of play, similar to the philosophy of the Dutchman's predecessor Jurgen Klopp.
Despite reverting back to some of the key elements behind Liverpool's success under the German, Barnes claims that it won't be enough to mount a title challenge against the likes of the Gunners and Manchester City.
"Then it'll be Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, so I think that will be the top five. It'd be great if Liverpool can actually win or finish second, but I think in this transitional moment, I will not be too disappointed if we finish third in Iraola's first year."
Much like Arsenal were with Mikel Arteta, Barnes said Liverpool may need to be patient with their new manager before he can land any silverware.
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Michael Carrick looks on
Michael Carrick has been predicted to lead Manchester United to a top-five finish this season(Image: Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
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Barnes explained: "Mikel Arteta finished 8th, 8th and 5th before he won the league, and they stuck with him and supported him and look what happened. So are we going to say, if you finish 3rd or 4th, we're going to sack the manager because we didn't finish first. I think that's how we have to look at it."
Liverpool will hope to bounce back from their fifth-placed finish last season, while the Red Devils will look to take the next step in their evolution under Michael Carrick. United finished third under the Englishman after a difficult first half of the campaign under Ruben Amorim.
Mikel Arteta claps the fans
John Barnes believes Arsenal will fight Manchester City for the title once again(Image: Marc Atkins, Getty Images)
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Chelsea enter the campaign with Xabi Alonso as manager, marking his appointment as the club's sixth permanent manager in just four years. The Blues finished a lowly 10th in the 25/26 season and will be without European football.
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